While at the Ridgefield NWR, Feb. 7, 2016, several folks were watching this American Bittern at the far side of the slough which runs next to the road we were parked on. At first I thought the bird would be in typical hunting mode but all of a sudden it stepped into the water and began swimming across the slough. I’ve seen or heard of this 3 or 4 times in my nine years visiting this refuge. It’s always fun to capture wildlife exhibiting unusual behavior. I caught another bittern swimming Feb. 3, 2012, at very close to the same spot as the above image.
Canon 7D Mark II, 1/1600, f5, ISO 400, 500mm, 2:25 p.m.
